An important part of any business is being creative and making things work. In the green industry, fabrication plays a large role. Many LCO's are design and fabricating wonders. They take things they have and make them work better, by adding functionality. Whether it's a truck, trailer or equipment modification, this latest business challenge is a showcase of artistic and creative abilities in fabrication. It should also help you improve yourself and your business by seeing what others are doing.

Here is a list of fabrication idea topics to get you started. You may add more.

rookiemower is the first to enter the challenge. Here are his submissions for his Operator Controlled Discharge Chute (OCDC)

Submission #1

Steve

10-06-2004, 06:57 PM

rookiemower submission #2

Steve

10-06-2004, 06:58 PM

rookiemower submission #3

Steve

10-06-2004, 06:58 PM

rookiemower submission #4

Steve

10-06-2004, 06:58 PM

rookiemower submission #5

Steve

10-08-2004, 07:52 PM

Submission #1 from Lawngodfather

Description : Spray rig for his dixie chopper

UnitedEnvironment.com

10-10-2004, 08:33 AM

All submissions to the Gopher Challenge can also be made at our new website which is an affiliate with Gopher,
UnitedEnvironment.com

UnitedEnvironment.co also has many other features besides a message forum, we will have real-world interactive training videos, showcasing the proper techniques for installing landscape projects.
locate a landscaper
and much much more

Steve

10-11-2004, 06:14 PM

Submission #1 from Lawn Tek

Description : Operator Controlled Discharge Chute (OCDC) - Here you can see the swivel socket welded to the rod , on the other end is a 3/8pipe nipple welded on, the pipe nipple is drilled for cotter pin, connecting rod also drilled for cotter pin. Also the 1/ 4 plate is welded to a 3/8 nipple, drilled and tapped for 2 set screws.

"I added this dump door to our TrynEx hopper. Make emptying it a cinch. The slides are 3'8" X 3/4" polyethylene and the door is a piece of 14 ga. stainless steel. I have access to a mill so I cut a relief on the back of the poly strips for the door to slide in. This is a closed view."

http://www.snowplowing-contractors.com/Alan/salt%20dump%20closed.jpg

"After I had everything in place I cut a hole with a hole saw behind the door. Now it's easy to dump a load that isn't needed. Put a tarp on the ground, open the door and turn on the vibrator. Also works good if you need to get salt out of the hopper for doing sidewalks."

http://www.snowplowing-contractors.com/Alan/salt%20dump%20open.jpg

Steve

10-15-2004, 03:44 PM

Submission #1 from AltaLawnCare

Description: Exmark Z Sprayer & Spreader.

picture #1

Steve

10-15-2004, 03:44 PM

Submission #1 from AltaLawnCare

Description: Exmark Z Sprayer & Spreader.

picture #2

Steve

10-15-2004, 03:44 PM

Submission #1 from AltaLawnCare

Description: Exmark Z Sprayer & Spreader.

picture #3

Steve

10-18-2004, 05:36 PM

Submission #1 from FrankenScagMachines

Description : "I took the 42” blade off of my John Deere 110 (no engine yet) and took deck off of my eXmark TTHP and made a couple brackets for the blade to bolt onto the eXmark. Had to add about 85# of weight to the blade to keep the front end down (that’s what the battery and barbell weights are for of course) but it works great (pushed some mulch around with it) It was barely wide enough to cover the wheel tracks when angled so I put some steel on the ends for little wings, this makes it 52” wide. It angles left, right and straight. This setup is compact, very maneuverable, very reliable and simple so I shouldn’t have any problems with it like I have the tractors and it will be killer on those small driveways."

Steve

10-20-2004, 11:08 AM

Submission #1 from bud16415

Description : Snow plow down pressure device and actuator.

Picture #1

Steve

10-20-2004, 11:11 AM

Submission #1 from bud16415

Description : Snow plow down pressure device and actuator.

Picture #2

Steve

10-27-2004, 08:34 PM

Submission #1 from olderthandirt

Description : Trailer Modifications

Picture #1

Steve

10-27-2004, 08:34 PM

Submission #1 from olderthandirt

Description : Trailer Modifications

Picture #2

Steve

10-27-2004, 08:35 PM

Submission #1 from olderthandirt

Description : Trailer Modifications

Picture #3

Steve

10-29-2004, 05:44 PM

Submission #1 from NCSULandscaper

Description : Spreader Carrier

Picture #1

Steve

10-29-2004, 05:45 PM

Submission #1 from NCSULandscaper

Description : Spreader Carrier

Picture #2

Steve

11-01-2004, 05:52 PM

Submission #2 from Lawn Tek

Description : 750 gal. Hydroseeder under construction

Picture #1

Steve

11-01-2004, 05:53 PM

Submission #2 from Lawn Tek

Description : The finished unit ready for trailer mounting.

Picture #2

Steve

11-02-2004, 09:03 PM

Submission #2 from AltaLawnCare

Description: Operator Controlled Discharge Chute (OCDC)

Picture #1

Steve

11-02-2004, 09:03 PM

Submission #2 from AltaLawnCare

Description: Operator Controlled Discharge Chute (OCDC)

Picture #2

Steve

11-02-2004, 09:08 PM

Submission #3 from AltaLawnCare

Description: Blade grinder. Uses 1" arbor. I also made a balancer out of 3 Fafnir 5/8" ball bearings.

Picture #1

Steve

11-02-2004, 09:08 PM

Submission #3 from AltaLawnCare

Description: Blade grinder. Uses 1" arbor. I also made a balancer out of 3 Fafnir 5/8" ball bearings.

Picture #2

Steve

11-02-2004, 09:09 PM

Submission #3 from AltaLawnCare

Description: Blade grinder. Uses 1" arbor. I also made a balancer out of 3 Fafnir 5/8" ball bearings.

Picture #3

Steve

11-02-2004, 09:13 PM

Submission from Lawngodfather

Description: Truck mounted sprayer. It has directo valve to control each section of the boom.

Picture #1

Steve

11-02-2004, 09:14 PM

Submission from Lawngodfather

Description: Truck mounted sprayer. It has directo valve to control each section of the boom.

Picture #2

Steve

11-02-2004, 09:17 PM

Submission from Lawngodfather

Description: Canister Air filter on a wal behind. This saved me lots of time from cleaning airfilters and precleaners. This pic is what it looked like when I installed it in April of '98. It is soon to become standard on Exmark WB's and many MFG's followed suit.

Picture #1

Steve

11-02-2004, 09:20 PM

Submission from Thompson's Landscaping 'NCSULandscaper'

Description: Ride on Sprayer attachment.

Picture #1

Steve

11-02-2004, 09:21 PM

Submission from Thompson's Landscaping 'NCSULandscaper'

Description: Ride on Sprayer attachment. Switch shown under arm rest.

Picture #2

Steve

11-02-2004, 09:24 PM

Submission from Thompson's Landscaping 'NCSULandscaper'

Description: Mower roller.

Picture #1

Steve

11-02-2004, 09:27 PM

Submission from rookiemower

Description: Sulky.

Picture #1

Steve

11-02-2004, 09:28 PM

Submission from rookiemower

Description: Sulky.

Picture #2

Steve

11-02-2004, 09:28 PM

Submission from rookiemower

Description: Sulky.

Picture #3

Steve

11-02-2004, 09:31 PM

Submission from Fine Lines Lawn

Description: Okay, just for laughs! The bushhogging Craftman!
Actually, I threw this together for grooming ground cover beds. We ended up never using it because it would be terribly unsafe and that job is easier with a string trimmer, but it's still funny looking and we still have it.

Picture #1

Steve

11-02-2004, 09:35 PM

Submission from GreenQuest Lawn

Description: 1st picture is the 4' down to 2' sides we installed on my open trailer. 2nd picture is the gate assist we made.

Picture #1

Steve

11-02-2004, 09:35 PM

Submission from GreenQuest Lawn

Description: 1st picture is the 4' down to 2' sides we installed on my open trailer. 2nd picture is the gate assist we made.

Picture #2

Steve

11-02-2004, 09:51 PM

Submission from Alan

Description: Alan fabricated his own mount for a Sno Way plow, and took it a step further, and also made his own heavy duty front bumper. The truck is a single rear wheel 1988 Chevy K3500. Read more about this project here. (http://www.snowplowing-contractors.com/alan_bumper.html)

Picture #1

Steve

11-02-2004, 09:51 PM

Submission from Alan

Description: Alan fabricated his own mount for a Sno Way plow, and took it a step further, and also made his own heavy duty front bumper. The truck is a single rear wheel 1988 Chevy K3500. Read more about this project here. (http://www.snowplowing-contractors.com/alan_bumper.html)

Picture #2

Steve

11-02-2004, 09:51 PM

Submission from Alan

Description: Alan fabricated his own mount for a Sno Way plow, and took it a step further, and also made his own heavy duty front bumper. The truck is a single rear wheel 1988 Chevy K3500. Read more about this project here. (http://www.snowplowing-contractors.com/alan_bumper.html)

Picture #3

Steve

11-02-2004, 09:52 PM

Submission from Alan

Description: Alan fabricated his own mount for a Sno Way plow, and took it a step further, and also made his own heavy duty front bumper. The truck is a single rear wheel 1988 Chevy K3500. Read more about this project here. (http://www.snowplowing-contractors.com/alan_bumper.html)

Picture #4

Steve

11-02-2004, 10:02 PM

Submission from Alan

Description: Alan's "Serious hitch rear bumper". "I just acquired another truck, but it came without a rear bumper. My philosophy about bumpers is to overbuild them to a fault. I figure if I get hit the other guy is going to come out the loser. And if I hit something there will be damage to the hitee anyhow so I might as well minimize damage on my end. This one will look pretty much like a typical, flimsy, factory step and tow bumper, but made with real steel. The rear plates are going to be 1/4 x 6" flat, the hitch plate will be 5/8 x 5, welded to 3/8" plates connecting to the truck frame." Read more about this project here. (http://www.snowplowing-contractors.com/alan_rear_bumper.html)

Picture #1

Steve

11-02-2004, 10:02 PM

Submission from Alan

Description: Alan's "Serious hitch rear bumper". "I just acquired another truck, but it came without a rear bumper. My philosophy about bumpers is to overbuild them to a fault. I figure if I get hit the other guy is going to come out the loser. And if I hit something there will be damage to the hitee anyhow so I might as well minimize damage on my end. This one will look pretty much like a typical, flimsy, factory step and tow bumper, but made with real steel. The rear plates are going to be 1/4 x 6" flat, the hitch plate will be 5/8 x 5, welded to 3/8" plates connecting to the truck frame." Read more about this project here. (http://www.snowplowing-contractors.com/alan_rear_bumper.html)

Picture #2

Steve

11-02-2004, 10:03 PM

Submission from Alan

Description: Alan's "Serious hitch rear bumper". "I just acquired another truck, but it came without a rear bumper. My philosophy about bumpers is to overbuild them to a fault. I figure if I get hit the other guy is going to come out the loser. And if I hit something there will be damage to the hitee anyhow so I might as well minimize damage on my end. This one will look pretty much like a typical, flimsy, factory step and tow bumper, but made with real steel. The rear plates are going to be 1/4 x 6" flat, the hitch plate will be 5/8 x 5, welded to 3/8" plates connecting to the truck frame." Read more about this project here. (http://www.snowplowing-contractors.com/alan_rear_bumper.html)

Picture #3

Steve

11-02-2004, 10:03 PM

Submission from Alan

Description: Alan's "Serious hitch rear bumper". "I just acquired another truck, but it came without a rear bumper. My philosophy about bumpers is to overbuild them to a fault. I figure if I get hit the other guy is going to come out the loser. And if I hit something there will be damage to the hitee anyhow so I might as well minimize damage on my end. This one will look pretty much like a typical, flimsy, factory step and tow bumper, but made with real steel. The rear plates are going to be 1/4 x 6" flat, the hitch plate will be 5/8 x 5, welded to 3/8" plates connecting to the truck frame." Read more about this project here. (http://www.snowplowing-contractors.com/alan_rear_bumper.html)

Picture #4

Steve

11-02-2004, 10:03 PM

Submission from Alan

Description: Alan's "Serious hitch rear bumper". "I just acquired another truck, but it came without a rear bumper. My philosophy about bumpers is to overbuild them to a fault. I figure if I get hit the other guy is going to come out the loser. And if I hit something there will be damage to the hitee anyhow so I might as well minimize damage on my end. This one will look pretty much like a typical, flimsy, factory step and tow bumper, but made with real steel. The rear plates are going to be 1/4 x 6" flat, the hitch plate will be 5/8 x 5, welded to 3/8" plates connecting to the truck frame." Read more about this project here. (http://www.snowplowing-contractors.com/alan_rear_bumper.html)

Picture #5

Steve

11-02-2004, 10:12 PM

Submission from Alan

Description: Alan's new bed for his S-10 plow truck. Read more about this project here. (http://www.snowplowing-contractors.com/alan.html)

Picture #1

Steve

11-02-2004, 10:13 PM

Submission from Alan

Description: Alan's new bed for his S-10 plow truck. Read more about this project here. (http://www.snowplowing-contractors.com/alan.html)

Picture #2

Steve

11-02-2004, 10:13 PM

Submission from Alan

Description: Alan's new bed for his S-10 plow truck. Read more about this project here. (http://www.snowplowing-contractors.com/alan.html)

Picture #3

Steve

11-02-2004, 10:13 PM

Submission from Alan

Description: Alan's new bed for his S-10 plow truck. Read more about this project here. (http://www.snowplowing-contractors.com/alan.html)